Description
The solar thermal plants have an important potential to be the energy of the future, but that technology has a very high Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) largely due to the high O&M cost. To optimize the O&M cost, the power plants operators need an intensive control of the Heat Thermal Fluid (HTF). Nowadays only a few specific HTF pipe points are controlled, because of the length of the pipe (up to 10 km). PANOPTES project aims to develop a new distributed HTF temperature monitoring system, using optical fiber as a sensor, based on the detection of back scattering of light. This project would counteract the major factors that are hampering the implementation of this type of renewable technology. This system is addressed to cylindrical-parabolic solar collector and it will allow the operator to have a very accurate HTF temperature in real time along the entire HTF pipe. In addition, DiangóstiQA will define a new concept of rotary joint. Due to the project complexity it is necessary to cooperate with the Norwegian entity SINTEF, in the preliminary system definition, coating fiber analysis, prototype definition, pilot data analysis and final system definition.
Summary of project results
The solar thermal plants have an important potential to be the energy of the future, but that technology has a very high Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) largely due to the high O&M cost. To optimize the O&M cost, the power plants operators need an intensive control of the Heat Thermal Fluid (HTF). Nowadays only a few specific HTF pipe points are controlled, because of the length of the pipe (up to 10 km). PANOPTES project aims to develop a new distributed HTF temperature monitoring system, using optical fiber as a sensor, based on the detection of back scattering of light. It will allow the operator to have a very accurate HTF temperature in real time along the entire HTF pipe. This objective has been reached during the project, defining the requirements of the solution according to different types of needs; a prototype of the solution has been developed and tested in a cylindrical-parabolic solar plant to validate its performance.
Summary of bilateral results
DiagnóstiQA has collaborated with an entity from donor countries, SINTEF, in order to develop relevant functions in the project. SINTEF is a broadly based, multidisciplinary research institute with international top-level expertise in technology, medicine and the social sciences. It conducts contract R&D as partner for the private and public sectors, and it is among the four largest contract research institutions in Europe. SINTEF's goal is to be a world-leading research institute being at the forefront of different strategic focus areas as renewable energy. SINTEF has wide experience in the design of devices for advanced measure using optic fiber. Its collaboration during the life cycle of the project was crucial, from technical requirements analysis to product validation.